A's 7, RED SOX 3: Sox dig a hole, can’t climb out of it

Ken Powtak, Associated Press

Thursday

Sep 14, 2017 at 12:56 AMSep 14, 2017 at 1:02 AM

BOSTON – Doug Fister’s rough start was too much for the Boston Red Sox to overcome this time.Matt Olson hit a two-run homer, Jed Lowrie drove in two runs and the Oakland Athletics rebounded for a 7-3 victory over the AL East leaders to win for the sixth time in seven games Wednesday night.

The loss trimmed Boston’s cushion in the division to three games over the New York Yankees, who beat Tampa Bay 3-2.

For the fifth straight outing, Fister (5-8) got off to a slow start in the first inning. Keyed by Olson’s homer, last-place Oakland grabbed a 4-0 lead in the first.

“Well, there’s not a whole lot to be said,” said Fister, who gave up six runs in four innings. “If you kind of sum it up into a couple of words, it’s just not enough.”

Fister was 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his previous four starts, allowing all his runs in the first.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said the club might readdress Fister’s pregame routine.

“He warms up earlier than most guys and then there’s a little bit of a gap of time between the end of his warmups and the first pitch,” Farrell said. “To me that’s the only common thread that I can see here – maybe that little bit of an expanded time frame forces him to go out and re-establish his release point.”

Dustin Pedroia had three singles for Boston to extend his hitting streak against the A’s to 26 games. The Red Sox had won five of six overall.

A night after getting routed 11-1 by the Red Sox, Oakland built a 6-1 lead by scoring four in the first and two in the third.

Lowrie had an RBI triple and Khris Davis a run-scoring single in the first before Olson hit his homer into the A’s bullpen.

“Scoring those four runs helped,” A’s starter Jharel Cotton said.

Boston scored a run in the first on Mookie Betts’ RBI grounder and one in the third on Andrew Benintendi’s RBI double.

Around the bases: LHP David Price (left elbow inflammation) threw his second simulated game. “He’s in the process of building up arm strength,” manager John Farrell said. “I thought he threw with good velocity.” Price, who has seldom spoken to the media while working his way back, said: “I don’t know how many more times I have to do a live BP, but if I come tomorrow and feel fine, I don’t know what else I have to do.” ... The Red Sox announced they have reached a long-term agreement with retired slugger David Ortiz that “should link him with the organization forever.” Ortiz is expected to act as a mentor for current players, help recruit players, make appearances and help develop business for Fenway Sports Management and its partners. ... A’s RHP Daniel Gossett (4-8, 5.02 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale Thursday at 1 p.m. against LHP Drew Pomeranz (15-5, 3.35). He’s won eight of his last nine decisions.